The mission of the Abundant Wellness Center is to be the center of choice for self-care, health and wellness for the city of Chicopee and the surrounding area. The Abundant Wellness Center is committed to the delivery of quality services, workshops and classes that educate, heal, transform and inspire our community and nurture the world. The staff, practitioners and associates combine their best efforts to insure all services are professionally given with respect and sensitivity to every client and friend of the Abundant Wellness Center.

What people frequently say about the Abundant Wellness Center is “I love the energy here!” and “You have so much great stuff to offer - thank you for being here!”

Staff

Lisa Blanchard
Lisa has her bachelors' of Science degree from Springfield College, in Athletic Training.  She is also a Certified Personal Trainer with Altheus at Healthtrax, in West Springfield.  She enjoys motivating inidividuals towards a healthier lifestyle through the body, mind, and spirit.  Lisa attended Springfield Technical Community College for her certificate in Massage Therapy.  She joined the Abundant Wellness Center team in August 2008 as a Licensed Massage Therapist.  Lisa specializes in deep tissue and swedish therapeutic massage therapy.

Debee Boulanger, Director, LMT
Debee, owner and director of the Abundant Wellness Center, has been practicing massage therapy since 1996. She is a graduate of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2001, Debee became certified in Medical Massage from Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in affiliation with Hartford Hospital. Debee is continually taking workshops to advance her education in massage therapy. Some of her more recent studies include advanced Medical Massage, releasing a frozen shoulder without surgery, and working with and managing chronic pain using various massage techniques. In 2005, Debee successfully completed 100 hours of advanced Medical Massage Instruction from Robert Pecora. Early in her career, Debee realized her clients needed access to additional modalities, such as Yoga, Acupuncture or CranioSacral Therapy. With her focus on medical and therapeutic massage, she knew she couldn’t do it all. And at that time, the Greater Springfield area was limited in the variety of other therapeutic modalities. Knowing that it was not realistic to send all of her clients to Northampton, Hartford or even Boston for treatment, Debee birthed the idea of a wellness center in Chicopee. As Director of the Abundant Wellness Center, Debee takes pride in the qualifications and expertise of the other therapists, teachers and workshop facilitators working out of the Center. Debee’s commitment to excellence has paid off, with the Abundant Wellness Center having been voted Best in the Valley in both Massage and Acupuncture for 2006, 2007, & 2008 with the Valley Advocate Reader’s Poll.

Ellen Brooks
Ellen M. Brooks is a gifted intuitive who offers many types of healing sessions. Ellen will help you seek clarity in your life's situations, as well as understand your angels are all around you and provide you with spiritual guidance and comfort. Ellen is a Certified Angel Practitioner, certified in Tarot, and a Level One practitioner of Golden Isis Sekhmet Secheim (energy healing). Part of her training as a Certified Angel Practitioner for Angel Healings was taught by Charles Virtue, son of Doreen Virtue, PhD.  Ellen also provides Crossed Over Healing Sessions - for those who have lost their loved ones and for our beloved pets who passed.  We are delighted to have Ellen offer readings at the Center. Ellen was referred to practice her art of Intuitiveness at the Center by well known Psychic Intuitive & Spiritual Medium, Gary McKinstry. Ellen is available for readings on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month.

Tom Campbell, LMT
Tom was trained in massage at the Amherst School of Massage Therapy. During his education, he encountered two students who were also Reiki Masters; it was then that Tom started learning about how to heal with energy as well as with massage. Once in practice, he quickly realized that he was already doing energy work intuitively, which led to him to take formal training in Reiki as well as Shamballa Healing. Tom’s talent and sincere interest in his client’s well being has helped him build a successful massage practice at his office in Westfield, as well as the Abundant Wellness Center.

Penelope Chatterton
With over 33 years of Astrology experience, Penelope can show you how attitude and freedom in perception and choice change destiny. As a student of Isabel Hickey and her spiritual concepts of understanding this divine science, Penelope would like to share this exciting information with you… At the moment of your birth, you took into your body the vibrations manifested on that day, time and place. This blueprint, or horoscope, shows your character. You are however, spirit, and you may take your life into your own hands. Penelope can show you how attitude and freedom in perception and choice changes destiny.

Brenda Edwards
Wellness Guide Brenda Edwards brings “The Encounter” to the Abundant Wellness Center. Your Spirit guides you on a mystical, passionate and exciting journey into the hidden terrains of your conscious, subconscious, and unconscious realms. The games result is an opportunity for clarity and alignment to your High Self, fostering positive change and igniting passionate purposeful intentions. Brenda participates as one of the gifted readers with our Psychic Fairs. Brenda is Co-director of Quantum Life Management Center, in East Longmeadow. Her most precious gift is to recognize who others really are and their greatest potential, even before they see it themselves.

Wanda Koch
Wanda Koch, known professionally as Cynarra, began Belly Dancing in the mid-seventies. She is a longtime member of the Crescent Dancers, the Pioneer Valley’s premier Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, and has performed in numerous public and private venues all around New England.  Wanda has also been teaching for many years. Aside from the Abundant Wellness Center, she has taught at the Easthampton Community Center, the Lady Maidana Studios, Pathfinder Regional Vocational School in Palmer, MA, Holyoke Community College and the Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Easthampton, MA.  She has studied with many national and internationally known masters, and still performs regularly for all kinds of occasions, sharing the joy of belly dance and inspiring others to learn.

Rachel Ginther
Rachel Ginther has done over 10,000 private sessions, doing bodywork and energywork (Reiki, Seichim, Ama Deus, Free Energy Balancing), all over the world. She begin in Pennsylvania doing medical massage with severely injured chiropractic clients while studying many modalities of bodywork (craniosacral, deep tissue, reflexology, swedish) energywork, hypnosis and ear coning (among others). In the early 1990's she helped found a school of energywork in PA and has extensive teaching experience working with college programs as well as the private sector. Currently Rachel has a private practice seeing clients, produces 500+ Vibrational/Flower Essences & Aromatherapy products and founded and directs a not-for-profit retreat center, The Garden at Thunder Hill ~ A Center for Spiritual Evolution. The Abundant Wellness Center is honored to have Rachel here once a month for private Detoxing and healing sessions.

Claudia Johnsen
Claudia Johnsen, RYT200, is a 2007 graduate of Mama Nirvana’s Teacher Training Program, certified hatha yoga instructor, and devoted yoga student. Claudia’s energetic spirit and passion for yoga are revealed in her detailed instructions and joyful, focused approach to classes. Claudia leads students through yoga breathing, meditation, and yoga postures, ending each class with deep relaxation so that students fell restored and invigorated.

Wanda Koch
Wanda Koch, known professionally as Cynarra, began Belly Dancing in the mid-seventies. She is a longtime member of the Crescent Dancers, the Pioneer Valley’s premier Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, and has performed in numerous public and private venues all around New England.  Wanda has also been teaching for many years. Aside from the Abundant Wellness Center, she has taught at the Easthampton Community Center, the Lady Maidana Studios, Pathfinder Regional Vocational School in Palmer, MA, Holyoke Community College and the Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Easthampton, MA.  She has studied with many national and internationally known masters, and still performs regularly for all kinds of occasions, sharing the joy of belly dance and inspiring others to learn.

John McCann
John is a licensed massage therapist and certified yoga instructor and maintains his own private massage practice Ingleside Therapeutic Massage and Yoga. Here, at Abundant Wellness Center, John teaches yoga. He has been a student of Hatha yoga for many years, and in 2004 completed a two hundred hour course to earn his certification as a yoga instructor. The following year, he completed an Advanced Teacher Training course for Anusara Yoga, taught by Deborah Neubauer of the Anahata Yoga Center in Northampton, MA. He is registered with the Yoga Alliance's National Yoga Teacher Registry.

Tina Lauziere
Tina has been in the medical field for over 10 years. She is a 21 year Cancer Survivor who has always had an interest in alternative medicine and treatments. Tina started her journey with Stones, Crystals, Meditation and Reflexology. She has studied and practiced Reiki for over 4 years. Besides being a Reiki Master, she’s a Minister, which allows her to treat clients in hospitals and nursing facilities. She has volunteered her time at Mercy Hospital to give Reiki to the Cancer patients and family members at the support group. Tina is available for Reiki on Monday evenings at the Center.

Darlene Mykytiuk
Darlene has been in the medical field for over 13 years with a life long interest in the healing arts.  Drawn to Reiki therapy over 3 years ago, she is a Reiki Master /Teacher as well a Licensed Massage Therapist.  Darlene also practices crystal healing, with an interest in aromatherapy and herbal healing.  Darlene is available Monday evenings for massage and Reiki sessions as well as teaching Reiki classes.

Linda McDonald
Linda has a long history of experience providing individual personal and professional development services, as well as helping managers and organizations/businesses, to create organizational change that has a positive impact on the bottom line.  Her gifts and talents include an ability to capture the big picture, see the vision, attend to detail and build relationships through openness and creativity. Linda has a master’s degree from Springfield College in Organizational Psychology.  Other education and certifications include licensed and registered Occupational Therapist, Certified Life Coach with Coach for Life and 6 Advisors and Certified Inspired Learning Facilitator. One of the most popular programs she uses in her coaching practice is a personal and professional assessment report called Six Advisors ™.  This assessment report provides clear and concise measurements of the thoughts behind our behaviors and reveals strengths and challenges that either support or sabotage success. Linda has designed a new program for the Abundant Wellness Center called Spirit Wisdom Coaching. She’ll help individuals safely and effectively express their dreams, be who they truly are and create their own success through quality, professional coaching skills, profound connection, creativity and sacred space.  At the Center, Linda holds private sessions and frequent group workshops.  Linda has just released her first learning CD in the Magnificent Life Series called Are You Listening?

Kaiilama Morris
Kaiilama is a certified breath practitioner, who has studied and facilitated with both the Transformational Breath Foundation and The Power of Breath Institute for over eight years. She is presently Assistant Director of the Power of Breath Institute. Kaiilama’s greatest passion is in supporting others towards self-empowerment in and through love. Since the spring of 2006, several people have experienced Kaiilama’s Breath Education Classes at the Abundant Wellness Center. This breathwork will substantially increase your energy level, reduce stress, and receive relief from ailments such as migraine headaches, asthma, TMJ, chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety, depression and much more! Kaiilama’s greatest passion is in supporting others towards self-empowerment in and through love.

Kathi Munson
Kathi Munson, a student of Gary McKinstry's, is a psychic, medium, reiki practitioner, crystal healer, tarot card reader, and angel card reader. Kathi's intuitive readings can help guide you through troubled emotions and clouded thoughts, by offering a reflection of your past, present and possible future as well as show you a fresh perspective on your life. Kathi works out of the Abundant Wellness Center every first and third Saturday of the month from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Heather Camille Nolan
Heather began her personal yoga practice as a way to prepare for stage performance and to relax after her days teaching public high school.  Over the last decade, she found the benefits of yoga to be so far-reaching that she began incorporating the postures in her classroom, noting that there is nothing more beautiful than twenty unruly adolescents silently balancing in tree pose!  Certified through YogaFit, Heather offers a gentle and accessible Hatha yoga practice, which builds strength and flexibility while creating a sense of balance among the body, mind and soul.

Mary Hunt O’Connor
Mary is a Licensed Massage Therapist who started working at the Abundant Wellness Center in the fall of 2007.  Mary brings many skills and talents to her trade and is most noted for her incredible deep relaxation and therapeutic massage.

Jaclyn Provencher, LMT
Growing up, Jaclyn had always had an interest in the human body and how it works. In 2005, Jaclyn graduated from The American Institute of Massage Therapy in Pompano Beach, FL and moved back home to western Massachusetts to start her career as a Licensed Massage Therapist.  Jaclyn specializes in Swedish, and deep tissue therapeutic massage. She would also like to attend school to become a Physical Therapy Assistant to help further her knowledge and skills.

Skye Belle Przystas
Skye Belle Przystas lifelong focus is a deep understanding and connection to people and the world around her. Besides being a Reiki Master and Minister, Skye has completed and does on-going work with Bryan DeFlores, as well as an Angel Therapy Practitioner with world renowned Doreen Virtue. This training only compliments Skye’s already unique techniques, tools and styles of assisting her clients to clear out outdated belief patterns, opening their lives and perspective to new ways of self knowledge, and self empowerment as a Spiritual Growth Mentor. Skye facilitates group sessions, ministry, healings, readings, classes and workshops and provides you with tips and ideas for changing your attitudes and outlooks to reveal & radiate your own inner light thru direction from Angels, Archangels, Divine Masters and Spirit Guides.

Debra Rusenko,  Lic. Ac., M.S.A.O.M., NCCAOM Dipl.
Debra Rusenko began her education with a B.S. in chemistry with a second major in biology from Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA and went on to complete an M.S. in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine from Bastyr University, Kenmore WA. She obtained advanced training in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Shanghai University of TCM in Shanghai, China where she concentrated her studies on Internal Medicine and Gynecology. Debra has completed a one year clinical residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, one of only two Acupuncture residency programs in the United States.  Deb is a Certified Diplomat in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and is licensed by the Massachusetts Medical Board. Deb is also a Reiki Level 2 practitioner and incorporates Reiki healing into her acupuncture treatments. Her clinical interests include pain elimination, headaches and women’s issues, such as PMS, menstrual irregularities, infertility and menopause. In addition to her private practice at the Center, Deb teaches Human Systems as adjunct faculty at Greenfield Community College and Asian Modalities at Branford Hall School of Massage. 

Val Sweeney
Val has been working in the fitness industry for over 10 years as a group exercise instructor and personal fitness trainer. Her passion for Pilates led her to begin studying at the Pilates Certification Center of Connecticut over 2 years ago, and now she is a Level One STOTT Pilates trainer. STOTT Pilates, the premier Pilates method in both the US and Canada, focuses on precision, technique and quality of movement, so students can achieve their goals regardless of age or fitness level. In addition to Pilates, Val is also fully accredited as an instructor in yoga, kickboxing, group cycling, body training and water fitness. She is certified in group exercise and personal training, and is also certified by the Arthritis Foundation as an Aquatic Program Leader.  Her great sense of humor and special attention to her students at the Center makes Val’s Pilates classes a success.
 
Diane Tellier, LMT, CST
Diane is a Reiki master and teacher of Usai, Karuna and Shambala. She has studied under many skilled masters including Brenda Edwards, Debbie Flynn and Siri Khalsa. Diane has been instructing Reiki at Holyoke Community College since 1997 and offers private instruction as well.  Diane is also a graduate of the Amherst School of Massage, and in 2002 received training in Cranial Sacral Therapy from the Upledger Institute. Additionally, Diane is a certified Hypnotherapist and studied at the Hypnodyne Foundation in 1997, the National Guild of Hypnotherapy in 1998 and continued her education with Steve Lavelle, owner of the Hypnodyne Foundation in 2000. March of 2007, Diane received her certification in Ashiatsu also referred as "barefoot massage".  Diane offers Massage, CranioSacral, Reiki and Hypnotherapy at the Center.

Kristen Thiel, B.A., LMT, NCTMB
Kristen studied psychology at Illinois State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997.  While serving professionally in the field of Human Service, she developed a deep interest in the connection between individuals’ mental/emotional states and physical well-being.  To pursue her growing curiosity in the mind-body connection, she continued her studies at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) where she earned her diploma in 2000.  Kristen’s post-graduate training includes several hundred hours of advanced instruction. She completed certification in Medical Massage through CCMT and Hartford Hospital in 2001, gaining hospital-based experience working in orthopedics, cardiology, and oncology. Following certification, she continued to provide massage in the hospital setting, gaining further experience with patients on post-surgical, intensive care, and delivery/postpartum units. In 2004, Kristen completed certification as a Baby’s First Massage instructor and began teaching parents how to safely massage their newborns. She has also completed training in pregnancy massage, chair massage technique, Reiki, and hot stone application.  Kristen is currently a Licensed Massage Therapist in Connecticut and Massachusetts. She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and maintains professional active status with the American Massage Therapy Association.  At the Abundant Wellness Center, Kristen is available to provide Medical and Therapeutic, Swedish, Pregnancy, Hot Stone, and Chair massage. She also offers newborn massage instruction to parents and caregivers. 

J. Vaughn
J. Joined our team in November 2008, moving from his previous location on Grattan Street. The idea of being part of such a great team in such a great space is what drew him in. He is a graduate of a 900-hour Massage Therapy program and has taken advanced studies with Deane Juhan and Ben Benjamin. J. specializes in Deep Tissue, Pain Management and Site Specific Massage Therapy. He also provides massage as part of the UMass Minutemen Sports Medicine Team. "Clients often say that it's fairly obvious that I love what I do and I'm pleased to practice my craft in order to help others." J. also teaches yoga here at Abundant Wellness on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.  He has been studying yoga for more than five years, currently involved in a 200-hr RYT program at Mama Nirvana's New Yoga.

Douglas Wilk
Douglas began his career in health care as a pharmacist. The former valedictorian became disillusioned with his choice of profession, however, when he began to realize that traditional care alone wasn't helping some of his customers at the pharmacy. Rather than getting well, their drugs often suppressed or masked their symptoms, instead of treating the underlying problem.  This realization led Douglas to leave pharmacology and pursue complimentary healing techniques designed to get results, rather than smooth over problems. Quickly discovering that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for everyone, Douglas has made it his mission to explore different alternative therapies, studying various energy-based therapies such as E.F.T., Seemorg, Body Talk, and Quantum Touch. He is on a continual quest of knowledge for healing and wellness.  Aside of private appointments, Douglas facilitates the Quantum Touch 2-day workshops here at the Center.